For a man who shuns the limelight, former Whitefield fire chief and First Responder Jim Brann seemed right at home in the school gym Sunday.
The reason was quickly obvious. Surrounded by some 60 townspeople wishing to express their appreciation, Brann uncharacteristically took the microphone and said, “There are not many here whose house I haven’t been in. I’d like to thank you for your cooperation and support over the years.”
The reception, emceed by Les Dancer, pastor of Sheepscot Valley Community Church in Kings Mills, was intended to thank Brann for 35 years of service – not just as firefighter and EMT, but also as school bus driver, a job he still holds, and as coach to community kids.
Dancer’s grandmother, Louise Dancer, was among those who regretted Brann’s departure when the three fire companies were reorganized into a single municipal department earlier this year. He wasn’t hired for the position of chief and subsequently stopped serving on Whitefield Rescue.
“I told Les, ‘We have to do something for Jim to show our appreciation,” Dancer said.
There were awards and homemade cards, a reading of the Firefighter’s Prayer, and a large keepsake photograph of Brann, flanked by his two sons Randy and Jim, also firefighters. All are wearing turnout gear and beaming during a control burn in South Bristol.
Somerville Fire Chief Mike Dostie said Brann was “my mentor as chief” and always ready to stand in “to take care of our town when several of us went snowmobiling up north. It was a unique thing, if there was a fire early in the morning, and a school bus arrived first, I knew it was Jim. He’s a very dedicated chief.”
Maine Fire Service wardens Mathew Gomes and Dan Skillin presented Brann a plaque. “In our role dealing with 500 chiefs, we’ve found some easier than others. Jim was among the easier ones,” said Gomes.
Firefighter Niki Mathews, who is Whitefield’s local emergency management officer, praised Brann for his “unmatched leadership” which made her feel safe, she said, as she started learning the ropes.
Frank Ober, former firefighter and now selectman, singled out Brann’s service since 1975, 15 years of which he filled as town chief. “Many nights Jim drove the roads of Whitefield responding to a request for help, either from someone with the flu, having a medical crisis or requesting EMS attention. Jim left many family holidays to respond to fire and rescue calls, often taking his two sons, Randy and Jimmy with him.” And then, after being up all night, “Jim would head home to change his clothes to go drive his school bus and then later return to the fire scene to help finish the job.”
No complaints, no expectation of accolades, said Ober, for such tireless efforts. “Chief Brann’s actions can only be construed as devoted and loyal, nothing short of heroic.”
From the bleachers came other heartfelt and sometimes humorous tributes. Gigi Hutchinson said she instinctively “called Jim’s number” when her husband got stuck on the roof and couldn’t get down. “Jim didn’t have to bring the fire truck; he just came and got Donny down.”
Louise Dancer had many memories of offered aid, on behalf of her late ailing husband and for herself, as well, when she took a bad fall. “I always felt good when he came. He was the first to respond.”
Marlene Sullivan remembered persuading her anxious mother, who had breathing problems, to let the family call an ambulance. “The only way we could get her to allow it was to say, ‘Jim will be the first one here.’ He got there and calmed her down. He has that magical way of calming people down,” she said.
Lester Dancer said that when his grandfather, in his 80s, appeared to be suffering a seizure, “everybody in the house was afraid. There’s a sense of relief that comes when somebody who’s been trained, and somebody you know, walks into the room.”
Brann was that somebody.
Dancer articulated the mood Sunday evening when he said, “There’s a lot of love in this room for the guy who gave a lot to our town.” Dancer, 32, said he’d had Brann as a coach. “He cut me once but it’s all right! It’s all good. I still love you!”
He commended Brann for spending time with his kids – “I see a lot of dads who don’t do that” – and for enabling his grandfather to stay comfortably at home in his final years. “Jim was there, doing what he was called to do.”
In his desk job at the state Dept. of Health and Human Services, Dancer said, “I don’t expect to go into a burning building or attend somebody in cardiac arrest. Jim’s doing these things for us is heroic.” Just as for other EMTs responding to emergencies, Brann’s work “is not a job you leave at the office. He’s been there for us in moments of pain, sickness and death.”
Most of all, the pastor said, “Jim has inspired people. Doesn’t it change the way you think to know there are people who care about you – good people? We don’t have to be divisive.”
In recognizing Brann, Dancer included Sylvie Brann and thanked her for the many years of sharing and supporting her husband and sons as emergency service workers. “You’ve raised two great boys,” Dancer said.
Brann received loud, spontaneous applause and a standing ovation.
A story that wasn’t shared at the microphone made the rounds as people in huddled groups feasted on a huge chocolate cake. Brann chuckled about the time some 20 years ago when he and other Kings Mills VFD firemen put on dresses for the traditional “Glamor Girl” public supper at the Union Hall. Wearing wigs, skirts and lipstick, they were serving amused patrons when the call came for a fire in nearby Pittston. The men piled into the truck and rushed to the scene. Brann recalled asking the assistant chief, who was approaching the truck, “‘Where do you want us?’ He took a long look and replied, “‘I don’t think we need you.'”